Anand draws with Karjakin

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand recovered in time to play a draw with Sergey Karjakin of Russia in the third round of the Altibox Norway chess tournament, here today.
Playing black for the second time in three days after a shocking loss with white pieces, Anand gave little away to Karjakin who tested his memory in a long drawn endgame typical of the opening.
It turned out to be the dullest day in three days as all the five games ended in a draw. Playing his third American opponent in three days, world champion Magnus Carlsen drew with Hikaru Nakamura in what was the game of the day.

Winner against Anand in the second round, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia played out a draw with Wesley So of United States, Levon Aronian of Armenia could not make his white pieces count much and signed peace with Anish Giri and Fabiano Caruana did not suffer as black against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France and drew.
With six rounds still remaining in the strongest tournament of the year. Nakamura and Kramnik lead the tables on two points apiece and they are followed by a pack of six players - Carlsen, Caruana, Karjakin, Aronian, Wesley So and Vachier-Lagrave - on 1.5 points apiece.

Anand and Giri are at the bottom of the tables at this stage but a recovery seems much on cards for both.

Karjakin decided to test Anand in a battleground that has been tried and tested.
The Berlin defense has been proven as something impregnable by the researchers of the game and Karjakin went for a variation that required Anand to figure out the intricacies.
The jungle of variations was not easy but Anand walked out of it like a true king leaving little for imagination. Karjakin was only optically better in the rook and pawns endgame that ensued and the Indian ace proved that beyond any reasonable doubts.

Nakamura and Carlsen fought the battle of the day matching each other move for move. The opening was level but then the caution as thrown to the winds as both tried to make headways with their pieces. The end result was a draw through repetition of moves coming vide perpetual checks.
Levon Aronian was better against Giri but could not find the best continuation with his clock ticking away. The Semi Slav defense by Giri gave Aronian some chances but the latter was not in his best form in the third round.
Results round 3: Servgey Karjakin (Rus, 1.5) drew with V Anand (Ind, 1); Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 1.5) drew with Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 2); Levon Aronian (Arm, 1.5) drew with Anish Giri (Ned, 1); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 1.5) drew with Fabiano Caruana (Usa); Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 2) drew with Wesley So (Usa, 1.5).